A 13-year-old boy is still fighting for his life, 11 days after being shot by another teenager he considered to be his friend.
As per shocking reports, Curtis Jackson was out riding his bike on Cleveland’s west side when he was set upon and shot a total of seven times by another boy.
Curtis, who had just recently graduated middle school as valedictorian, was due to start high school at St. Edward’s, Cleveland next week.
Now, though, he is fighting for his life. His family have said that his condition is improving, but he has a long way to go.
“For this to happen to him in this kind of fashion, it’s cold-blooded, it’s cold,” the 13-year-old’s father, also named Curtis Jackson, said.
“To be shot 7 times, you know then kicked.”
Curtis Sr. told how his son has undergone five surgeries now. He is being cared for in MetroHealth, where he’s been since the attack 11 days ago.
“Aw I can’t let him out of my sight you know,” Curtis Sr. said to Cleveland 119.
“I whisper in his ear every night, I whisper in his ear like it’s just me and you I can’t let you out my sight no more, it’s just me and you. Things happen. Life comes at you fast but this one right here really hit home.”
According to his dad, Curtis was knocked off his bike and shot four times in the chest and twice in the arm. Another bullet grazed his head, while his shooter – reportedly a 15-year-old who Curtis considered a friend – then kicked him in the head before running off.
“It’s been a nightmare,” Curtis Sr. said.
“You know you try to be a firm, fair father you know what I’m saying. He’s been doing all the right things. So, I try to be lenient on him and you know let him do what boys do, go to the park, play basketball that’s what he likes to do, and hang out with friends. I don’t know it’s just a tragedy that this happened you know I don’t know what’s wrong with kids these days.”
Curtis Jr. is a straight-A student who likes to play football and basketball. His father expressed his frustration at the frightening trend concerning gun violence among young people.
“It’s getting bad around here,” Curtis Sr. said. “It’s just the gun violence man and they’re getting younger and younger. My son is 13 years old; his birthday is Saturday.”
Reports claim that the 15-year-old shooter, who has not been named, turned himself into police after the attack.
I simply can’t believe that something like this can happen in the modern world. What is going wrong with the youth of today?
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Meanwhile, leave a comment as to how you think we should be tackling the obvious problem with gun violence.
